Crime & Safety
Mountain Lions Spotted in Pogonip Tuesday Evening
Santa Cruz Police and UCSC Police warned hikers to be careful around the Pogonip, where two lions were spotted.
Two hikers reported seeing two full-grown mountain lions at 6 p.m. Tuesday on top of Pogonip. The hikers told police the lions didn't bother them but seemed to be interested in their unleashed dog.
Police notified residents by text and email with the nixle system, and gave a list of warnings:
"Take the necessary precautions with your outside animals and children. Try not to hike alone and take a cell phone with you. If you are confronted by a mountain lion, do not try to run away, face the animal, appear as big as possible, make loud noises, and report the incident to the Santa Cruz Police Dept or Fish and Game. Do not take your dog into the park off leash."
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The Pogonip stretches from near River Street to the UCSC campus and is popular with hikers and sometimes, drug dealers. It was nicknamed "heroin hill" after complaints about drug users there.
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